Eskasoni Mi'kmaw Nation
Band No. 23
PeopleMiꞌkmaq
ProvinceNova Scotia
Land[1]
Main reserveEskasoni 3
Other reserve(s)
Land area42.809 km2
Population (2021)[2]
On reserve3973
Off reserve700
Total population4673
Government[3]
ChiefLeroy Denny
Council size12
Tribal Council[4]
Union of Nova Scotia Miꞌkmaq
Website
eskasoni.ca

The Eskasoni Mi'kmaw Nation (Miꞌkmaq: Eskissonqnik) is a band government of the Mi'kmaq First Nations, located in Unama'ki (Cape Breton), Nova Scotia, Canada. As of 2021, Eskasoni has a membership of 4,675. Of this population, 3,973 live on-Reserve, and 667 live off-Reserve.[5]

History

On-reserve populations
YearPop.±%
1871125—    
189180−36.0%
1900140+75.0%
1941200+42.9%
19912,206+1003.0%
20012,741+24.3%
20235,064+84.8%
Source: Statistics Canada,[6][7]

The word 'Eskasoni' is derived from the Mi'kmaq word We'kwistoqnik, which means 'where the fir trees are plentiful'.[8]

In 1942, the federal government enacted a centralization policy through Indian Affairs. This policy led to the forced relocation of hundreds of Mi’kmaq from to two reserves – Eskasoni and Shubenacadie, known today as Sipekne’katik.[9] This led to rapid population growth in Eskasoni, which was previously home to less than 200 residents.

In 2016 Dr. Mohan Singh Virick, a Sikh doctor who served Eskasoni for 50 years, donated 140 hectares (335 acres) of land.[10] He also donated a building in Sydney to help house Eskasoni's growing population.[11]

Present day

Eskasoni is the most populous community of the Mi'kmaq Nation. It has its own community radio station, CICU-FM, broadcasting at 94.1 MHz. The Eskasoni First Nation is also home of the Unama'ki Institute of Natural Resources, a Mi'kmaq organization devoted to natural resources and the environment.

The community operates its own school board, providing services to children from kindergarten to grade 12.[12]

The Eskasoni First Nation is composed of three parts:

CommunityAreaLocationPopulationDate established
Eskasoni 33,504.6 hectares (8,660 acres)40 km. southwest of Sydney3,973July 1, 1832
Eskasoni 3A28.5 hectares (70 acres)40 km. southwest of Sydney0July 20, 1948
Malagawatch 4 (1/5 share)661.3 hectares (1,634 acres)62 km. southwest of Sydney0August 2, 1833

References

  1. ↑ "First Nation Detail". Crown–Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada. Government of Canada. Retrieved December 28, 2019.
  2. ↑ "First Nation Detail". Crown–Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada. Government of Canada. Retrieved December 28, 2019.
  3. ↑ "First Nation Detail". Crown–Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada. Government of Canada. Retrieved December 28, 2019.
  4. ↑ "First Nation Detail". Crown–Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada. Government of Canada. Retrieved December 28, 2019.
  5. ↑ Branch, Government of Canada; Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada; Communications (November 3, 2008). "Home". Crown–Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada. Government of Canada. Retrieved March 17, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  6. ↑ "No need of a chief for this band" (PDF). UBC Press. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
  7. ↑ Government of Canada (January 15, 2008). "2006 Aboriginal Population Profile". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Statistics Canada. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
  8. ↑ "Eskasoni First Nation" (PDF). Dalhousie University. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
  9. ↑ Roache, Trina (April 10, 2020). "Uprooted: The little known story about Mi'kmaw history of forced relocation". APTN News. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
  10. ↑ Network, SaltWire. "Cape Breton doctor to be honoured". Cape Breton Post.
  11. ↑ "Respected physician says First Nation needs the land 'more than I do'". www.mmnn.ca. Mi’kmaq-Maliseet Nations News. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
  12. ↑ "History of Eskasoni". www.eskasoni.ca. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
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